Hero or Menace?

My experiences with the web-head and how he's become an inspiration to me...

What's up, friends? Spiderfan05 here. This is my first article here so just bear with me. Now that I've handled the introduction, let's get on with the article.

When we're kids, we all have someone we look up to. Be it a celebrity, a family member, a friend or heck, even a fictional character. That's the case with me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I look up to a couple of celebrities and family members too but I'm not here to talk about that today. No, today, I'm going to talk about the terrifying, the deadly, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

What is it about 'Ol Web-head that we Spider-fans like so much? What is it about this red and blue wearing web slinging freak that gathers so much appeal? Well, I'll tell you. In my own words at least.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE WEB-HEAD

To get this off, I was born in 1995. I'm currently 15 and I'll be turning 16 in June. From the start, it's like I was destined to be a Spidey-fan. The very first action figure I ever owned was Spider-man. My very first comic book was a Spider-man title. To this day, I still collect comic books and action figures and my collections for both are predominantly Spider-man.

To really get this article rolling, let me share with you a brief history of Spider-man.

During the character's creation back in 1962, Spider-man's co-creator, Stan Lee was enjoying the success of The Fantastic Four. At around the same time, he found out that he had been getting a lot of fan mail from high school and college kids. Lee figured that if a lot of comic book readers were teenagers, why not create a hero that they could identify with. He would have their problems, their emotions, their general teen angst. Lee's publisher at the time, thought it was a terrible idea. He had claimed that only adults can be superheroes and that teenagers were to remain as sidekicks. The idea was eventually given a chance and Spider-man's first appearance was actually the last issue of a soon-to-be-cancelled publication called Amazing Fantasy. Months after Spidey's introduction, Lee's publisher reviewed the sales figures and found that Amazing Fantasy 15 ended up being one of Marvel's highest selling comics. Spider-man was soon given his own solo series in March of 1963 and the rest is history.

From the way I see it, I have always loved the fact that Spider-man was intended to be relatable for teenagers. I could understand that. It's not easy being a teenager. What most people don't understand is that, when you're a teenager you tend to become more self conscious. You become concerned with climbing up the social ladder and making a name for yourself. You have to deal with hormones, mood swings and just general unpredictable behavior. In a sense, Spider-man was a reflection of your average teenager.

Right off the bat, you realize that Peter Parker is a timid, socially awkward teenage geek who ends up being subjected to ridicule and social outcasting. I could totally relate to that. I could identify with the guy who would always be bullied or teased or always be rejected by girls.

Someone like me could relate to the teenage Peter Parker and find comfort in knowing that you're not the only one going through tough times. Case in point, before the spider bite, Parker's life was a mess. After gaining the powers and the costume, his life turns into an even bigger mess.

With this in mind, let us go over what Parker has already been through. He grew up barely knowing his parents as they died in a plane crash when he was only an infant. He grew up being raised by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben and actually ended up feeling guilty for the death of the latter. He has had trouble helping his Aunt making ends meet and settling for a job as a photographer for the Daily Bugle where he meets his boss, editor in chief and Spider-man hater, J.Jonah Jameson. His first love and eventual girlfriend, Gwen Stacy dies in his arms.

Knowing this, you realize that Spider-man is not just some super-powered freak in a red and blue suit but rather, there is someone underneath the mask who, just like you or me, undergoes the struggles and turmoil of everyday life.

More than once in his life, Peter has had to sacrifice everything and go for broke yet, has overcome the odds and time and again, manages to come out on top. Despite all the problems, all the grief, he has managed to keep a strong, positive outlook on life and it shows us the sheer determination and will power that Peter Parker has as a person.

That has always been one of my favorite aspects of Spider-man's character. The fact that he doesn't let his problems get the better of him. The very fact that he somehow manages to carry on and keep fighting is really what amazes me.

IN CLOSING

I have been a Spider-fan for years and I have gotten some heat for it. What most people don't understand is, that it's not just about Spider-man himself, it's about what makes the character tick and what makes Spider-man...Spider-man. I wrote this article on the off-chance that it may shed some light on the appeal of Spider-man and why I consider myself a fanatic of the webbed wonder. I find that in this day and age, we're too caught up in our everyday problems and we always let said problems get to us. We're faced with problems in the economy, gas prices, and other troubles that occur in our daily lives.

Based on this, I figure we can learn a little thing or two from our FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN.

Thanks for reading, guys. 'Till next time, true believers!

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Spiderman.... what can ya say about this comic book other then it was Amazing. I read comics from the late 70's till well... now on rare occasion. Spiderman as well as he Hulk got me into the industry, ultimately working for Harris Comics in the 90's.

Spiderman had some of the coolest villians, a great storyline, and just sparked my interests in other comic books, and as we al know it becomes addictive.

This was a good read and brought back a bunch of memories. Sorry if my comments aren't as descriptive as usual, Im kinda tired lol.

Good article. Since Every other Spider-fan is sharing their early experiences, I'll share mine. I got into Spider-Man in 1990 with Web of Spider-man #65. Not the best issue to start from but it was a fun read for the big fight that it was, and it fueled my need to know everything about a character I knew NOTHING about. There was no cartoon airing, or movies showing at that time to introduce me to the character. I had to find out about Spidey through research, reprints and back issues. Fortunately, my brother left his comic book collection at home while he was in the Army so I got to sneak reads at his books, mainly from the 80's and 70's. Those are the stories that stand out to me. I may have rushed to the local store when the current issues came in, but the time between was spent reading older issues and those are the issues I remember the most fondly.

Spiderman is cool. Good article.Remember when The Electric Company did there little Spiderman skits. Whenever Spiderman would "web" someone, they used a big net and dropped it on the crook. Now that's some cheesy Retro spidey props right there.

Another life-long Spidey-Fan checking in here. My introduction to the web-head came through re-runs of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends coupled with the Secret Wars toys around '84-'85. In fact most pictures of me from age 2-4 I am wearing a Spider-Man shirt. People at work call me Peter Parker and my car is a full-on Spider-Mobile with seat and steering wheel covers, license plate holder, sun shade and even custom made hood ornament (recently stolen-BAH!).

I too have always appreciated Peter's goodness in spite of all the crap life hands him. And up until recently I thought it was awesome that he managed to grow into a real man with a hot and supportive wife, but apparently the head honchos at Marvel did not feel the same way-bah!

I used to love Spiderman but it got to the point that you had to be collecting 8 comics or whatever to get the whole story. When I was a kid I used to think that ED was a guy letting you know what was happening in other comics. Well, I guess he was, but it was whoever the Editor was at the time.

But yeah, too many comics to collect for me. I hear they killed off like all the clones and female versions and whatnot of Spiderman so there are not as many notes made by good old Ed.

Great article. It's making me feel a little old knowing I used to read spiderman around the time you were born. lol, are lucky tho, that means u missed out on the horrible scarlet spider/new spiderman storyline.

Nice article. Spidey is my favorite superhero also. I've been a fan since watching the old tv movies from the 70s and the old cartoons. I also had a great big stack of the comics but sold them when I moved. Now I am 35 and my son who is 6 is also a Spidey fan so we watch the movies and the old and new cartoons together. I was a bit like Peter growing up. Never went to prom never really dated in high school. I was witty though. I could make people laugh with a witty one liner like ol Spidey would whip out. All in all a great introductory article for us Spidey fans. Keep it up.

Great article. I too am a Spider-Man fan. I fell in love with the web head back in the early 80s when my mother lugged me with her to college because she could not afford a babysitter for her 8 year old son. To keep me quiet she always bought me a comic book from the local grocery and it was always Spider man. Years later I am now 42 with a son of my own and another on the way and I smile whenever my boy picks up his Spider-Man action figure and runs through our house. Beneath the staircase in our basement is a footlocker filled with plastic covered mint condition comics mostly Spidey. Some I purchased at comic conventions date back to the 60s before I was even born and will this small fortune some day be passed down to my boys. As I write this my 2 yr old son is beside me playing with no clue what Dad will be giving him in years to come. Anyway thanks for the great read. And as the great Stan Lee would say, Excelsior!

I freaking LOVE Spider-Man. I,ve been a fan since childhood. I still own all my Spidey comics from childhood and I love Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends and the 1994 Spider-Man animated series. I,ve been reading Spider-Man comics since I was 6. I,m now 25.